A while ago, a friend from Vancouver visited me. The topic of government sustainability initiatives in our provinces came up. He said that Edmonton couldn’t possibly approach Vancouver in efforts to reduce environmental footprint.
I conceded that point, relying merely on the reputations of each province. British Columbia is known for what many people disdainfully call “tree-huggers” — a label that shows little intellectual effort on the part of its user — and for being environmentally inclined.
Alberta, on the other hand, is known for the oilsands, or the “tar sands,” as many tree-huggers call them. Canadians from other provinces know my home as being conservative, both culturally and financially. Thus, people think that Albertans care only about their own individual financial gain, caring nothing for the well-being of anyone or anything other than their own individual selves.
So I sincerely said, “You’re right on that one. Alberta does try, though.” I then described some of Edmonton’s efforts to exist more sustainably. After I described a few projects, he admitted that Alberta does many things that B.C. doesn’t.
The most significant way that Edmonton reduces its environmental footprint is by combing through Edmontonians’ garbage and “using the city’s household waste and biosolids (sewage sludge) as resources to create compost, a rich soil supplement.” Search for “City of Edmonton compost” on Google and check out the photo. Apparently, Alberta’s capital city diverts 60 per cent of its residential waste from landfill and has the largest composting facility in North America. Take that, B.C.!
In fact, according to its website, the Edmonton Waste Management Centre (EWMC) “is North America’s largest collection of modern, sustainable waste processing and research facilities.” In addition to the huge composting facility, facilities included in this collection include: “Integrated Processing and Transfer Facility; Materials Recovery Facility, where Edmonton's recyclables are sorted and baled; Global Electric and Electronic Processing Facility, where Edmonton’s electronics are recycled; Construction and Demolition Recycling Operation; Leachate Treatment Plant; landfill gas recovery system (that uses landfill gas as a fuel source for electricity); and biosolids lagoons.” Alberta’s capital even has a Christmas tree recycling program.
I mention all of this to introduce one of Edmonton’s most interesting and exciting sustainability efforts: Sustainival, billed as “The World’s First Green Carnival.” Apparently, all of the rides and games at this carnival run on used french fry grease and other vegetable oils. The carnival’s website claims that this is the first such carnival in both North American and world history (which aren’t mutually exclusive, I suppose), and that all of the prizes at the games are environmentally oriented, such as wooden wristwatches and organic fashions.
It’s worth noting that — I speak now to Alberta’s actual conservatives, of whom there are fewer than non-Albertan Canadians like to believe — Sustainival is entirely a private project. As far as I can tell, government isn’t involved. Even further, one of the elements in the carnival’s vision statement is “bolstering the local economy.” This, of course, must appeal to people who care nothing for long-term planning and are concerned only about keeping their overseas vacations and luxury vehicles in the now.
So yes, friends, Alberta is a leader in sustainability. Don’t let anyone tell you differently.
Dave Lloyd is a writer and musician who grew up in St. Albert.
